Daughter sues nursing home for mother’s decline

GREENSBURG – A Westmoreland County woman sued a skilled nursing facility on behalf of her deceased parent for damages allegedly caused by negligent care.

Sarah J. Carroll Wood of Trafford, as administrator of the estate of Frances C. Carroll, filed a complaint Feb. 27 against GGNSC Murrysville LP, doing business as Golden Living of Murrysville in Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court, claiming negligence.

According to the filing, Frances Carroll resided at the Murrysville facility starting in 2010. The suit states that in 2012, when Ms. Carroll was approximately 95 years old, she was being treated for basal cell carcinoma on her scalp.

The complaint alleges that her scalp lesion went uncovered for periods of time. According to court documents, on or about Aug. 31, 2012, blood was found on her clothing; the plaintiff asserts that while visiting her mother on or about Sept. 1, she discovered live maggots in her mother’s wound.

After notifying staff, Ms. Carroll was attended by staff and a treatment plan was enacted, stipulating regular cleansing and dressing, including antibiotic application and bandaging. Court documents state that the elder Carroll’s lesion continued to deteriorate; she was subsequently evaluated and transferred to another facility for hospice care.

According to the grievance, the wound healed while Ms. Carroll was under the care of the second facility, where she remained until her death on Feb. 5, 2013. The cause of death was listed as heart failure and basal cell carcinoma.

Sarah Carroll Wood cites Golden Living with negligence, claiming the facility failed to keep her mother safe from physical harm, provide a safe environment and adequate staff, and manage her mother’s care to prevent infection and infestation. The plaintiff also cites the defendant with failure to communicate, maintain professional standards and implement policy.

Arguing that her mother endured pain, suffering and loss of dignity, the plaintiff seeks compensatory damages, interest, attorneys’ fees and court costs. She is represented by Elizabeth Chiapetta and Robert Daley of Robert Peirce and Associates in Pittsburgh.